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Todd Lewis
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Sallyann Scala
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Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Pompton Lakes Police Chief Derek
Clark announce the arrest of Todd Lewis, 57, of Wayne, New Jersey and Sallyann Scala, 67, of
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. On December 11, 2024, Mr. Lewis was charged by way of warrant
and Ms. Scala was charged by way of summons after an investigation conducted by the Pompton
Lakes Police Department.
On October 31, 2024, the Pompton Lakes Police Department advised Special Victims
Unit Detectives that a 9-year-old male student at Lenox Elementary School had disclosed that
earlier that month, Mr. Lewis had placed masking tape around the back of the student’s neck and
secured it to the student’s desk for approximately 40-50 minutes while Ms. Scala was present in
the classroom and failed to intervene. The investigation led to Mr. Lewis being charged with one
count of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4a(2)
and Ms. Scala being charged with one count of fourth degree Abuse and Neglect of Children, in
violation of N.J.S. 9:6-3.
Mr. Lewis’s sentencing exposure is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison on
second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Ms. Scala’s sentencing exposure us up to 18
months in New Jersey State Prison on fourth degree Abuse and Neglect of Children. On
December 12, 2024, Mr. Lewis appeared for Central Judicial Processing proceedings and was
released pending trial on monitoring, with special release conditions that he be prohibited from
contact with any minor children including the minor victim. On December 11, 2024, members of
the Pompton Lakes Police Department served Ms. Scala with the summons complaint.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite the accusation, defendants are
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in a court of law.
Any inquiries regarding the defendants’ employment status should be referred to the
Pompton Lakes Board of Education. Any case related inquiries may be directed to Passaic
County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Petrella at jpetrella@passaiccountynj.org or 973-247-
3330.
